CA2082838A1 - Hermaphroditic connector for single fiber optical cable - Google Patents

Abstract

A single optical fiber hermaphroditic connector includes a ferrule or plug of a subassembly which terminates an optical fiber of a cable and an end of which is received in a cavity of a housing. Furcations of a bifurcated member extend beyond a free end of the ferrule. An end of the housing is supported from one free end of a tubular member such that a compression spring disposed about the housing causes the ferrule to be biased outwardly. An opposite end of the tubular member is connected to a bushing and tapered plug arrangement which is effective to transfer forces from strength members of the cable to the connector to prevent the forces from being applied to the connection. The subassembly is received in a sleeve having a small diameter threaded end adjacent to the force transfer arrangement and an enlarged diameter, externally threaded end which encloses the housing and the bifurcated member. A
coupling nut having an internally threaded end is disposed about the sleeve and is adapted to receive a free end of another single fiber hermaphroditic connector such that the internally threaded free end of the coupling nut is turned into engagement with the externally threaded enlarged end of the sleeve of the other connector to hold together the connectors.